Right from our childhood, we have been learning the lesson of “early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” When we were small, there was no option but to rise early and rush to school. As we grow in age, life offers more flexibility, and to enjoy this flexibility, people give up on the early rising habit of their childhood. With the advent of Covid19, work-from-home and study-from-home scenario has offered more flexibility in life. People have fallen into the habit of making their mornings lazier, waking up a little late, and stretching the night longer. However, several pieces of research prove that early risers benefit a lot physically and mentally.
How to Become an Early Bird from Night Owl
There are very simple changes that you need to make in your lifestyle and over a course of time you will thank yourself for doing so. Below are some ways in which you can start a new routine and experience greater self-satisfaction and life-satisfaction:
Plan morning treats for yourself
There are many beautiful things that mornings provide us – calmness in the atmosphere, chirping of birds when we are in our verandas, balconies or terrace with a glass of warm water, inspirational health enthusiasts if we are on a morning walk, fantastic views of the sun slowly rising and spreading our world with the light, soothing music of our choice while we are going about with our daily routines, the leisure of planning our days to accomplish more, etc. Regulate your mind in such a way that it cannot think of missing such beauties of the mornings. These morning treats would make you look forward to going to the bed early for waking up early.
Schedule your sleep time
Sleep is significant. We cannot undermine the importance of sleep just to get up early. All that is required is being consistent in your sleep and wake time. Gradually take yourself away from the late-night activities that you are accustomed to like watching late-night shows or spending unnecessary time on social media or even increasing your screen time on your laptop, doing some work. Cut down that time by 30-60 mins and get into the bed early. Initially falling into sleep early would be a problem but then you will certainly adopt it. If you feel good and re-energized by sleeping for 8 hours then set your sleep schedule accordingly. If you feel good with just 6 hours of sleep, then sleep accordingly but sleep early and stick to the same time of getting to bed.
Keep gadget-free time before sleeping
With our entire world functioning around gadgets, it is certainly not easy to find a gadget-free time. However, researches have proved that the blue light from your screens stimulates your brain to an extent that sleeping right after that gets affected. So, set a limit to gadget uses in late evenings and instead schedule tasks that are free of electronics at least half an hour before you go to bed. The quality of sleep will get better and getting up early would be easier.
Early birds have been found more energetic and focused in planning and achieving goals. They attain greater physical and mental fitness. You will be getting the luxury of a slow and sweet start which would fill your days with happiness, lesser stress, and more optimism as you would not be rushing over things right after opening your eyes rather enjoying the beauty in small things around you.